EP3387910B1 - Method and device for producing and/or processing of food products - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for the production and/or processing of food products and the use of particles to change the flow properties of free-flowing food mass.

For the production of conventional chocolate products or compound masses, particles, typically consisting of crystalline sugar, cocoa components and/or dry milk components, are suspended in a liquid fat mass, in particular in cocoa butter.

In the production of a conventional chocolate or compound product, the chocolate or compound mass has to be comminuted and/or conched between rollers in order to achieve high sensory quality, the comminution resulting in angular particles. In the process, the suspended particles are deagglomerated, finely distributed and also physically and/or chemically modified with regard to some of the components that contribute to the formation of the aroma. These processes, in particular conching, but also fine rolling, are extremely time-consuming and energy-consuming or require well-trained personnel to determine the appropriate processing parameters. This also applies if the processing takes place in a ball mill process, which can be used as an alternative or in addition.

The mass is then pre-crystallized in a tempering process with cooling. The mass can then be poured into molds and is finally solidified with cooling, in particular the fat matrix crystallizes.

In the context of the present application, sugars are understood as meaning sweetening components, in particular saccharides, ie mono-, di- and oligosaccharides, in particular with a dextrose equivalent (DE) greater than 20, sugar alcohols, sugar substitutes and sweeteners, and combinations of these. The DE is determined according to the Lane-Eynon method, which is used, for example, in " Sugar and confectionery" (see Hoffmann/Mauch/Untze, 2nd edition 2002, ISBN 3-86022-937-0, p.234-235 ) .

Out of WO2015049292 spherical particles are known for the manufacture of a food product, such spherical particle containing a matrix material of amorphously solidified biopolymer.

Furthermore, it is known to produce such particles and agglomerates of such particles in a drop formation process, for example in a spraying process with single or multi-component nozzles in a spray dryer.

A liquid containing solids, the composition of which is adapted to the desired end product, is sprayed into the space of a dryer via a nozzle system or a rotary atomizer. Hot air is fed in countercurrent or direct current to the droplets that are formed. The liquid evaporates and each drop becomes a powder particle. The products manufactured in this way are collected in the spray chamber or, for example, are conveyed from the dry air into a collection container via a cyclone. The powder particles that fall on top of each other usually agglomerate and form granules.

Out of WO2015049292 It is also known that for spherical particles that are dispersed in a preferably fat-continuous fluid phase, the rheological properties, for example described via the viscosity function η(γ) and the yield point τ ₀ , show significantly reduced values of these material functions compared to suspensions of the same composition, in which the components contained in the spherical particles are present in an angular, i.e. non-spherical particle shape, and separately, but with the same or at least comparable particle size distribution.

Low viscosities are advantageous when processing a food mass, since the mass can be fed through a depositor with less energy expenditure and the components of the machine are easier to clean.

Low viscosity is also desirable for conventionally prepared food masses, which result in a texture and taste of the end product of known good quality. So far, this can only be achieved with considerable effort.

From the EP1031285 a chocolate mass is known which contains hydrocolloids. These swell on contact with water and can lead to an increase in the viscosity of the product during consumption.

The US2010/0323067 discloses a chocolate composition containing sweeteners in the form of nanoparticles with a size between 50 and 1000 nm. The rheological properties of a chocolate composition containing emulsifier depend on the proportion of nanoparticles in the composition.

US2006/0121164 shows a chocolate product in which cocoa ingredients such as cocoa butter are dispersed in water or milk. The cocoa-based oil-in-water suspension forms a gel network whose rheological properties depend on the proportion of cocoa components. In this way, stable and low-calorie oil-in-water suspensions, such as fruit puddings or drinking chocolate, can be formed.

U.S. 2016/0242432 A1 relates to spherical particles, processes for producing food suspensions and edible masses with spherical particles. The particles contain a matrix material made from an amorphously solidified sugar, with milk or a milk component, in particular a milk fat or portions of milk fats, being embedded in the matrix material.

US 4,861,615A discloses an extruder for producing a chocolate mass. In a first zone, sugar is added in the form of crystals. The viscosity is measured in a second zone. Depending on the viscosity determined, the addition of cocoa butter can be regulated.

WO 2011/007379 A1 shows a process for the production of chocolate, in which the smallest sugar particles are added to the chocolate. At least 90% of the particles have a diameter between 25 and 40 pm.

GB 1 219 996 A discloses a heat resistant chocolate mass having proportions of crystalline and finely ground amorphous sugar.

There is therefore the task of providing methods and devices which overcome the disadvantages of the known and which in particular allow a practicable production and processing process for a food mass.

The object on which the invention is based is achieved by a method for producing and/or processing food products comprising the step of changing the flow behavior, in particular the viscosity, of a casting compound in a device for producing and/or processing food products. The device preferably has at least one mass container for a casting mass, preferably based on fat.

The flow behavior is adjusted and/or changed by increasing the proportion of particles, of which at least 90% by volume have a diameter of less than 500 μm and in particular 90% by volume a diameter greater than 1 μm, in the total solids content of the casting compound and/or particles of which at least 90% by volume have a diameter of less than 500 μm and in particular 90% by volume a diameter greater than 1 μm, are metered into the casting compound.

In the context of this invention, a casting mass is a flowable mass, preferably a fat-based food mass, in particular a fat mass, for example a chocolate mass. However, it can also be a water-based food mass, for example an ice cream mass or sugar fondant.

In particular, a predetermined value for a viscosity and/or a flow limit is set. The viscosity is preferably reduced and/or the yield point of the casting compound is reduced. The reduction relates in particular to a comparative value, for example the viscosity and/or the Yield point of the starting casting compound or a casting compound with a corresponding recipe, which has the solids content in a conventional manner.

In addition to a homogeneous carrier material, the casting mass can contain other components, for example vitamins, minerals, structuring agents, dietary or non-dietary fibers, fruit components, vegetable components, nut components, fruit stone components, meat components, fish components, crustacean components, cocoa particles, cocoa components, milk, milk components, fruit juice or Fruit puree, vegetable juice or vegetable puree, coffee extract or coffee aroma, tea extract or tea aroma, cocoa extract or cocoa aroma, color, color extract, synthetic sweeteners, spices, artificial and/or nature-identical flavors, pharmaceutically active substances, and other nutritionally significant substances.

The casting mass is poured, for example, with a casting machine through pouring nozzles to a mass destination, for example in moulds, on a belt or on a semi-product.

The casting compound can also be filled manually into cardboard boxes, with block goods being produced as a semi-finished product, for example blocks of 20 kg.

The casting compound can also be filled into tanks for transport, for example into a truck tank.

According to the invention, the proportion of in particular spherical particles with a matrix material made of, in particular amorphously solidified, biopolymer, in particular sugar, in the solids content of the casting compound is increased and/or there are, in particular spherical, particles with a matrix material made of, in particular amorphous solidified biopolymer, in particular sugar, metered into the casting mass.

In the present application, spherical particles refer to bodies of which more than 70% of the surface is convexly curved, ie less than 30% of the surface is formed from planar sub-areas.

wobei V_P das Partikelvolumen und A_P die Partikeloberfläche bezeichnen. Hat der Partikel die Form einer Kugel, ergibt sich eine Sphärizität von 1.The spherical particles have a sphericity Ψ greater than 0.5, preferably greater than 0.8, more preferably greater than 0.9. By sphericity Ψ is meant the ratio of the surface area of a sphere with the same volume as the given particle and the surface area of the particle: $$\mathrm{\psi }=\frac{{\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="1"\; label="\pi "\; filenames="imgf0001.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">\pi </figure-callout>}}^{\frac{1}{3}}{\left(6V_p\right)}^{\frac{2}{3}}}{A_p}$$

where V _P denotes the particle volume and A _P denotes the particle surface area. If the particle has the shape of a sphere, the resulting sphericity is 1.

The amorphous state ensures that there are no crystal faces with edges on the surface of the particles.

In the present application, a matrix material is understood to mean a basic substance in which other components can be embedded, preferably individually and/or in portions and preferably substantially uniformly distributed.

The matrix material can have a water content that is selected such that the glass transition temperature of the matrix material is above the typical or intended storage, consumption and/or processing temperature, in particular the glass transition temperature is preferably greater than or equal to 20°C is greater than or equal to 25°C, and the water content of the matrix material is preferably less than 10% by weight (equilibrium moisture content in the matrix material at 20°C and 1023 hPa).

The glass transition temperature means the glass transition temperature determined by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

In the context of the present application, the biopolymer can be, for example, a starch, proteins, microcrystalline cellulose or a polyglycerol ester (PGE). In particular, the biopolymer is a sugar or a sugar/polysaccharide mixture, for example a mixture of sugars with starches, optionally partially degraded starches, or the biopolymer contains a sugar or a sugar/polysaccharide mixture.

The biopolymer preferably consists of a sugar, more preferably a sugar with a dextrose equivalent greater than 20, and/or contains at least one sugar from the following group: a sugar with a dextrose equivalent greater than 20, sucrose or sucrose, dextrose, polydextrose, maltodextrin, Mannose, rhamnose, maltose, lactose, fructose, polyfructose, lactioli isomalt, tagatose, saccharin, aspartame, acesulfame, cyclamate, neohesperidin, neotame, sucralose, stevioside, thaumatin or sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol, maltitol, erythritol or isomalt , and/or combinations thereof.

Solid particles and/or liquid and/or gas volumes can be embedded in the matrix material of the spherical particles, for example components of cocoa, milk components, fat, flavorings, a nutritionally relevant additional component or a combination thereof.

In particular, the particles, in particular spherical ones, have a fat content of at most 90% by weight, preferably less than 70% by weight, more preferably less than 50% by weight.

After increasing the proportion and/or metering in the, in particular spherical, particles, the casting compound preferably has a fat content of less than 70% by weight, in particular less than 60% by weight, and a fat content of greater than 5% by weight, in particular greater than 10% by weight.

A portion of the ingredients required according to a recipe can be metered in in the form of particles or in the form of a suspension in which the particles, in particular spherical ones, are distributed in a carrier fluid.

Alternatively, all ingredients required according to a recipe, for example all the necessary sugar, can be added in the form of particles or in the form of a suspension in which the particles are distributed. The particles can be spherical particles or a mixture of spherical and angular particles.

With an increase in the proportion of, in particular spherical, particles in the total solids content and/or with the addition of, in particular spherical, particles, the flow behavior of the casting compound can be influenced, in particular the viscosity and/or the yield point of the casting compound can be reduced, without For example, the temperature needs to be changed.

Good flowability is particularly necessary downstream of the mass container if the casting mass, for example, flows through narrower channels of the metering valves and pouring nozzles of a casting machine flows or if the casting compound is to be distributed in a mold for the production of thin-walled hollow bodies. At this point in time, the casting compound is already at a suitable temperature. In the case of chocolate masses, for example, the β _V and β _VI crystal nuclei of the cocoa butter mass, which are favorable for later crystallization, are already present and lead to the desired crystal formation after pouring.

Heating or additional shearing would make the mass thinner and lower the viscosity, but in view of the crystals already present it would be unfavorable to heat the mass again immediately before casting or to subject it to intensive shearing if it turns out that the fluidity is too low. The ability to flow can be increased by adding particles, in particular spherical ones, without heating or complex mechanical action.

Preferably, at least 90% (by volume) of the particles have a diameter of less than 500 μm, preferably less than 100 μm and even more preferably less than 80 μm. It is also possible to use particles of which at least 90% have a diameter of less than 50 μm, preferably less than 45 μm.

Preferably at least 60% (by volume) of the particles have a diameter of between 2 μm and 40 μm, in particular 80% of the volume of the particles are larger than 1 μm.

According to the particle size distribution (volume-based, x _90.3 ), the diameter of 90% of the volume of all particles is preferably smaller than 40 μm and according to the particle size distribution (volume-based, x _10.3 ) of 90% of the volume of all particles larger than 1 μm.

The size distribution of the spherical particles preferably has a distribution width, described by the standard deviation s=(x _90.3 −x _10.3 )/x _50.3 , of less than 20, preferably less than 5 and more preferably less than 3.

The specified diameter relates to a particle size determined using laser diffraction spectroscopy, for example using a Beckman Coulter LS13320 device.

The particles can be present in a monomodal, bimodal or multimodal distribution. The respective focal points of the distribution are selected depending on the casting compound and the desired effect.

Depending on the desired flow properties of the casting compound, the type and/or size of the particles can be selected before increasing the proportion of particles and/or before dosing.

For example, particles of different sizes can be metered in, with the respective proportions of particles of different sizes influencing the desired flow behavior.

Alternatively or additionally, different types of particles can be metered in, for example spherical and angular particles. The ratio of spherical to angular particles can influence the desired flow behavior.

A recipe-related portion of the solids content can be metered in to adjust the flow behavior, with the flow behavior being influenced by the composition of the solids content, for example by the proportion of particles of which at least 90% by volume has a diameter of less than 500 μm and in particular 90% by volume has a diameter greater than 1 μm, based on the total solids content and/or due to the proportion of spherical and angular particles.

The particles, in particular spherical ones, can be supplied as bulk material or, distributed in a carrier fluid, in a suspension. A material that corresponds to the casting mass or forms an essential part of the casting mass, for example a fat mass such as cocoa butter, can serve as the carrier fluid.

The dosing takes place in particular before the casting, so that a mass with optimized flowability is available for the casting, ie for guiding the casting compound through one or more pouring nozzles and optionally through one or more metering valves.

The dosing takes place, for example, in a mass container, in a mixing device, in a conche or between the mass container and a pouring nozzle or in a metering valve.

The added particles or a suspension containing particles are advantageously mixed with the casting compound so that a homogeneous distribution results. After the increase in the proportion and/or the dosing and before a further processing step, the flow properties of the casting compound are changed, in particular a reduction in the viscosity and/or flow limit.

The proportion of the particles and/or the quantity of the particles to be metered in can preferably be fixed during the casting process, so that the flow properties of the casting compound can be changed during the casting process.

The, in particular spherical, particles are advantageously made available in a storage container in which the temperature and/or the ambient humidity are adjusted in such a way that the amorphous particles do not post-crystallize and/or do not agglomerate.

An emulsifier is usually added to conventional casting compound to improve the flow properties. If the proportion of, in particular spherical, particles in the solids content of the casting compound is increased and/or if particles, in particular spherical ones, are added to the casting compound, an emulsifier can be dispensed with, the amount of emulsifier can be reduced and/or the amount of, in particular spherical, particles and emulsifier are matched to one another, in particular if the addition of the, in particular spherical, particles influences the formulation of the casting compound, if, for example, flavorings are embedded in the matrix material of the particles.

The casting compound preferably has an emulsifier content of less than 1% by weight, preferably less than 0.55% by weight.

The metering step and the resulting step of influencing the flow properties are preferably followed by at least one processing step of the casting compound, in particular a step in which the casting compound is converted into a form adapted to the end product, for example by casting, extruding, spraying, centrifuging or Press.

In an advantageous development of the method, a measured value is determined which allows conclusions to be drawn about the flow behavior of the casting compound, in particular the viscosity. The measured value is particularly after increasing the proportion of particles and/or the metering in of the particles is determined, so that the effect of the increased proportion of particles and/or the metered-in particles on the flow properties of the casting compound can be observed.

For example, measured values can be recorded using an online rheometer, or the power or current required to operate a stirring element for stirring the casting compound can be determined.

Depending on the measured value, a necessary proportion of particles in the solids content and/or a specific quantity to be metered in can be determined from a stored table, for example by means of a control and/or regulation unit.

In order to obtain a flowability of a certain desired quality very precisely, a determined measured value can be compared with a target value.

According to the invention, the desired value is entered or set in a control and/or regulation unit.

Advantageously, the required proportion of particles in the solids content of the casting compound and/or the quantity of particles to be metered in is determined as a function of a deviation from the target value, preferably in a monitoring and/or regulating unit.

After dosing, the particles can form a proportion of more than 5% by weight and less than 100% by weight of the solids content, for example the sugar content or the sum of sugar, milk and cocoa components, of the casting mass.

The particles, in particular spherical ones, can replace part of the sugar desired according to the recipe or, in borderline cases, all of the sugar according to the recipe, or supplement the sugar present according to the recipe. Flavorings can also be introduced into the casting mass with the, in particular spherical, particles if, for example, flavorings or cocoa components are embedded in the matrix material of the particles.

With the, in particular spherical, particles, a part of the components desired according to the recipe, for example the milk and/or cocoa components, can also be added to the casting mass.

A lot of particles can be added to the casting compound, all of which are spherical.

Alternatively, a mixture of spherical and angular particles can be added to the food mass, with the proportion of spherical particles being adjustable. The particles can be metered in as bulk material, or the particles are metered in as a suspension, with the particles being distributed in a mass of food, preferably in high doses. After dosing, a proportion of spherical particles can result in the casting compound, which leads to a desired flowability, with a desired solids content or a predetermined recipe being able to be achieved at the same time.

For example, a basic food mass can be prepared in which there is little or no solid content, e.g. sugar. Depending on which viscosity is desired for further processing, a recipe-dependent quantity with corresponding proportions of angular and spherical Solid particles, for example sugar particles, are added. The addition can take place in the form of bulk material or as a dispersion. Depending on the proportion of spherical particles, the viscosity can be varied by a factor of up to 5. The respective amounts can be defined in a control and/or regulation unit.

Angular particles result from the conventional production and processing of food masses, for example in a mill or a rolling mill.

For example, initially spherical particles can be made available which contain, in particular amorphous, sugar and preferably milk components. In a matrix material of sugar and/or milk components there can be embeddings, for example cocoa components, aromas and/or fillers.

The fillers can be microcrystalline cellulose. The fillers can be present as encapsulated particles which can have diameters between 1 and 30 μm. The fillers can be used to replace fat, the fillers contributing to the proper texture of the chocolate and not to the caloric content. Any gritty mouthfeel is reduced by the embedding in sugar.

On the other hand, a basic food mass, for example fat-based, can be provided. This can consist of pure cocoa butter, contain additional emulsifiers and/or aromas.

Cocoa mass can be added to the cocoa butter in an amount determined by whether white, light or dark chocolate is desired.

In addition, conventional sugar, for example as a syrup or in crystalline form, can already be added.

To provide the basic food mass, the cocoa butter and the other ingredients are preferably mixed, ground and/or conched so that the desired aromas develop.

According to a predetermined desired viscosity or according to a predetermined desired viscosity and a predetermined recipe, spherical particles are then metered into the basic food mass. The spherical particles can be added either as bulk material or as a suspension, for example in a cocoa butter.

The respective proportions are determined by a control and/or regulation unit and metered in by a feed device.

The casting compound obtained can optionally be conched again before casting. The casting mass can then be suitably tempered, possibly provided with seed crystals for the later crystallizations and brought into a form adapted to the end product, in particular cast, extruded, centrifuged or sprayed.

Particles can be added again at a later point in time, but before the final product has solidified, if the flow properties need to be adjusted again.

The particles can be made available in a device and/or with a method for producing particles with controlled temperature control, in particular cooling.

To produce the particles, a biopolymer-containing, in particular sugar-containing, liquid is isolated, in particular sprayed into a spray chamber of the device.

A device for shaping and separating is considered to be a device, in particular a heatable device, for atomizing or atomizing and in particular for the subsequent drying of liquids.

The device for shaping and separating is, for example, a device for forming drops with capillaries or for disintegrating lamellae. It is preferably a device for spray drying, in which an aqueous mixture or dispersion is sprayed into a chamber by means of at least one atomizer, for example a spray nozzle. With temperature and pressure control, the formation of small, preferably round, spray particles in the spray jet and then their solidification by drying can be effected.

Ultrasound, a disc or an oscillating nozzle can also be used for separation. During ultrasonic atomization, mechanical vibrations, which are generated by piezoceramic elements, for example, are transferred to a liquid film.

With the rotary atomizer, a rapidly rotating application body, e.g. B. a bell cup or a disc, due to the centrifugal force droplets.

A solution is preferably processed in a spray dryer by means of a hot air flow, the volume flow of which is, for example, 0.102 m ³ /s, with a fluid volume flow of, for example, 0.96 l/h.

Drying air is preferably used for this purpose, the temperature of which is between 100 and 190.degree. C., more preferably between 150 and 190.degree. C., upon entry into the spray tower.

In the middle of the spray tower the temperature of the air can be approx. 115-130°C and when it flows out of the spray dryer (mixing with fresh air at 20°C) it can still be around 70-85°C.

The particles are, for example, cooled to a final temperature, in particular room temperature. The particle stream is guided in such a way that essentially no agglomerates, ie no, few and/or only small agglomerates, are formed.

Small agglomerates mean agglomerates of less than 50, preferably less than 20, spherical particles.

The particles are kept in motion during cooling, with the particle density in the vicinity of the particles not being reduced to bulk density during cooling, ie the particles are not already collected during the cooling process.

In the cooling area, the sprayed particles are guided in such a way that they essentially do not touch one another and also do not remain on device surfaces before they have reached the final temperature. The particles float, fly, or fall as they cool.

The final temperature is understood to mean the temperature to which the temperature of the particles asymptotically approaches after the shaping and separation process, for example spray drying, and/or which the particles have when they are removed from the spray room or a collection container for further processing or storage become. The final temperature preferably corresponds to the ambient temperature, ie room temperature, preferably 18°C-25°C, more preferably 20°C-25°C.

The particle density in the vicinity of the particles is preferably kept below the density which the particles have in a fluidized bed after the loosening or minimum fluidization speed has been reached, ie the gas speed at which a loose bed or a fixed bed changes into a fluidized bed. Typically, the particle density is then about two to three times the bulk density before the minimum fluidization rate is reached.

A greater bulk density in the vicinity of the particles is preferably only permitted when the particles have cooled to a temperature below 67°C.

The particles are only collected when the particles have reached or fallen below the final temperature. Collection can be done in a tank or on a fluidized bed.

Alternatively, cooling can take place in a liquid in which the particles remain. The particles can be removed from the liquid again for later use, for example by guiding the fluid and the particles through a sieve, which can preferably be temperature-controlled.

The particles can also be separated off by centrifugation or sedimentation.

The particles can be collected on a sieve or filter, preferably one that can be heated, from which they are later removed again with a pressure surge. Smallest particles can be separated in this way.

The particle stream is preferably guided through a cooling area in which the particles cool down without too many particles touching and adhering to one another.

The cooling section may include a cooling tube. The temperature of the cooling tube can be actively controlled, for example the cooling area can be subjected to a temperature control fluid or a temperature control fluid can be guided through the wall of the cooling tube.

To cool the particles, a tempering fluid, for example tempering air, can be added to the particle flow during cooling. The temperature control air can be conducted in cocurrent or countercurrent with respect to the particle flow and/or with respect to the drying air flow. The tempering air can also be guided in a cross flow.

The tempering air can be added as compressed air. The tempering air can be used to guide the particle flow.

The air that was previously used for atomization can be used as tempering air.

The final temperature and/or the cooling rate of the particles can be influenced.

The influencing can take place via an adjustment process. For example, the user can specify a target value, for example for the end temperature of the particles, the temperature of the tempering air or the temperature of the wall of the cooling area or of the tempering fluid.

For this purpose, the user selects and/or enters the desired value. The specification can be changed while the spraying process is running.

The temperature and/or the inflow of the tempering air can preferably be influenced. The influencing can take place via an adjustment process or automatically.

Alternatively or additionally, the dwell time of the particles in the cooling area can be influenced.

In order to increase the residence time in the cooling zone, the particles can be subjected to a countercurrent flow, and the residence time can be shortened by a cocurrent flow.

The residence time can be affected with the flow rate of cooling air.

Alternatively or additionally, the particles can be driven out of the cooling area by means of a cross flow.

The dwell time in the cooling area can be adjusted by adjusting the length of the cooling pipe. The longer the cooling tube, the longer the flight or fall time in the cooling area can be and the better the particles can approach the final temperature. The length of the cooling tube can be adjustable.

Drying preferably takes place in cocurrent or countercurrent. In particular, the temperature and/or quantity of the countercurrent or cocurrent is adjusted. Alternatively or additionally, drying with microwaves can take place. For this purpose, in particular the microwave power and/or the duration of the microwave input is specified. Inactivation of microorganisms can be achieved simultaneously with microwave drying.

In addition, drying can be effected by subjecting the particles to a negative pressure, ie the pressure in the vicinity of the particles is reduced compared to normal pressure.

The degree of drying is preferably defined via a user input.

The particles with a matrix material made of sugar, in particular with a DE greater than 20, then have an amorphous structure and do not tend to crystallize or agglomerate at room temperature.

In particular, drying and cooling are coordinated.

The drier the particles are, i.e. the lower the water content of the particles, the less they tend to form agglomerates and the less they have to be cooled before they are allowed to touch. The lower the water content in the sugar matrix, the higher the glass transition temperature (T _g ). Below the _Tg, the particles are glassy and correspondingly less sticky than above the _Tg .

The object on which the invention is based is also achieved by a device for producing and/or processing food products with a depositor.

The device can also include a mass container for casting mass, a conche and/or a mixing device.

The device has a feed device for dosing in a suspension with, in particular spherical, particles with a matrix material made of biopolymer, in particular made of amorphous sugar or for dosing in, in particular spherical, particles with a matrix material made of biopolymer, in particular made of amorphous sugar.

The feeding device can comprise a mixing-in device which is suitable for feeding in the in particular spherical particles as bulk material or, distributed in a carrier fluid, as a suspension and for distributing them uniformly in the casting compound.

In particular, the particles comprise amorphously solidified biopolymer, but spherical particles with crystalline, partially crystalline or post-crystallized biopolymer can also be used. The spherical particles can also be agglomerates of smaller particles, for example nanoparticles.

The depositor comprises in particular a processing unit which is connected downstream of the feed device, for example a shaping unit, in particular one or more pouring nozzles, a centrifugal unit, an extrusion unit or a spraying unit.

The feed device is arranged in particular upstream of a pouring nozzle, more particularly in the mass container, on a mixing device for mixing the particles into the casting compound, for example a static mixer, on a conche or between the compound container and a pouring nozzle.

The feed device is preferably suitable for dosing a specific quantity of spherical particles. In particular, it allows the determination of the quantity of particles to be fed in a bulk material or in a suspension.

For this purpose, the feed device can be equipped with a closing device, for example a slide or a valve, and/or a device for volume detection, weight detection and/or for detection of a flow time.

The feeding device can comprise a drive or conveyor device, for example a belt, a screw, a pump and/or a pneumatic conveyor device.

The temperature, the pressure and/or the ambient humidity can advantageously be defined in the feed device, so that the spherical particles do not agglomerate.

The device also preferably comprises a storage container for storing spherical particles with a matrix material made of, in particular amorphously solidified, biopolymer, in particular containing sugar and/or milk components. The temperature, the pressure and/or the ambient humidity can advantageously be defined in the storage container, so that the spherical particles do not agglomerate.

The reservoir may include an agitator.

It can be a storage container for bulk material or for a fluid.

The reservoir is preferably in a fluid connection with the feed device or can be brought into a fluid connection with the feed device.

The device can have a mixing device for mixing the spherical particles into the casting compound. The mixing device ensures that the particles are distributed as homogeneously as possible in the casting compound. A stirring element can be provided, for example, in a separate mixing device, in a mass container, in a mass line and/or in the depositor.

Alternatively or additionally, the feed device can be designed in such a way that the particles can be metered in small portions of a casting compound flowing past.

In an advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the device, in particular the casting machine, includes a measuring device for determining a variable that allows conclusions to be drawn about the flow behavior of the casting mass.

In particular, conclusions can be drawn about the viscosity and/or the yield point. For example, the flow resistance can be measured.

A commercially available online rheometer, for example a rotational viscometer such as the Brookfield TT-100 from the company, can be used as a measuring device, for example Brookfield, or a vibration viscometer such as the Hydramotion XL7/151 or the ViscoMelt500 from Hydramotion.

For example, the motor power or the motor current for actuating a stirring element in a mass container, in the mixing device and/or in the depositor can also be determined.

During the liquefaction of the milk chocolate mass, a motor current of 100 A typically occurs at the beginning at 1000 revolutions per minute in a 6t mixer, with 280 A ultimately occurring at 2400 revolutions per minute.

The measuring device is in particular downstream of the feed device, so that the effect of the increased proportion and/or the fed particles can be observed.

According to the invention, the device has a control and/or regulation unit for adjusting the proportion of particles and/or the quantity of particles to be metered in. The monitoring and/or regulating unit is in particular designed in such a way that the flow behavior of the casting compound is influenced in a targeted manner, with the recipe preferably being taken into account at the same time.

A suitable quantity of particles to be metered in, for example a number of particles, a weight or a volume of bulk material or suspension, can be determined by means of the control and/or regulation unit by setting a corresponding value depending on the type and quantity of the to be treated casting mass is taken from a stored table.

The influencing can take place via an adjustment process. For example, the user can use the control and/or regulation unit specify a target value for a recipe, a particle concentration and/or a target value for the flowability.

The quantitative ratio of spherical to angular particles is taken from a stored table depending on the target value.

A suitable quantity and/or the suitable distribution of particles can then be metered in. The value for the amount to be dosed, for example for a number of particles, a weight or a volume of bulk material or suspension, and/or the size distribution of the particles

Particles are metered in until the value for the flow behavior determined by a measurement corresponds to a specified target value, taking into account a specified recipe. The metering can be adjusted and controlled via the control and/or regulation unit.

Spherical particles with a matrix material made of, in particular, amorphously solidified biopolymer, in particular sugar, can be used to set and/or change the flow properties, in particular the viscosity, of a free-flowing food mass during the manufacturing and/or processing of a food product.

In particular, at least 90% of the particles have a diameter of less than 500 μm, preferably less than 100 μm, more preferably less than 80 μm. It is also possible to use particles of which at least 90% have a diameter of less than 50 μm, preferably less than 45 μm.

The food mass is in particular a fat mass, more particularly a compound and/or chocolate mass.

It is preferably used in a casting machine.

The invention is explained below in exemplary embodiments with reference to drawings.

Figur 1

eine schematische Darstellung eines Ablaufs des erfindungsgemässen Verfahrens;

Figur 2

eine schematische Darstellung eines Beispiels für die Bereitstellung von sphärischen Partikeln.

Show it

figure 1

a schematic representation of a sequence of the method according to the invention;

figure 2

a schematic representation of an example for the provision of spherical particles.

figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an example of a method according to the invention for the production and/or processing of food products. A device 100 for the production and/or processing of food products comprises a casting machine 102 and a mass container 101 for a fat-based casting mass. The mass container 101 can be double-walled, so that the casting mass can be temperature-controlled.

The casting compound reaches pouring nozzles, also not explicitly shown, via metering valves (not shown), and flows from there, for example, into molds in which it solidifies.

The device 100 has a feed device 104 for metering in spherical particles with a matrix material made of biopolymer. A control and/or regulation unit 105 determines which and how many particles are dosed.

The feed device 104 comprises a storage container 106 for storing the spherical particles with a first size distribution, in which the temperature and/or the ambient humidity can preferably be defined. The feed device can have a further reservoir, not shown explicitly, in which angular particles or a suspension with angular particles or spherical particles with a second size distribution or a suspension with spherical particles with a second size distribution are present.

The particles are metered into a mixing device 103, where they are mixed into a casting compound. The casting mass is transferred from the mixing device 103 into the casting machine 102 . The mixing device 103 can also be integrated into the depositor 102 .

The device 100 has a measuring device 107 downstream of the feed device 104 for determining a variable that allows conclusions to be drawn about the flow behavior of the casting compound. In the example shown, the measuring device 107 is attached to the depositor 102 .

The measuring device 107 can be coupled to the control and/or regulation unit 105, which then influences the respective proportion and/or the dosing of the particles depending on the deviation of the measured value from a specified target value.

This ensures that the casting compound flows through the channels of the metering valves and the pouring nozzles with sufficient fluidity so that the channels do not become clogged.

figure 2 shows a schematic representation of an example for the provision of spherical particles. The particles are produced, for example, in a device for shaping and separating 200, with the particle flow being guided during cooling to the final temperature, in particular room temperature, in such a way that essentially no agglomerates are formed.

First, a solution of a biopolymer, such as sugar, is prepared in a pre-mixer. Further ingredients can be added to the biopolymer. The biopolymer solution is then fed into a spray dryer 202 where the solution is sprayed via spray nozzles 203 . Spherical particles are formed with a matrix material made of amorphously solidified biopolymer. Embeds of the other ingredients can be present in the matrix material.

In the example shown, the spraying takes place in a fluid 204, for example a cold oil or cocoa butter. The particles cool down without agglomerating.

A suspension consisting of the fluid 204 and the particles is fed into a device 205 for increasing the particle concentration. This can be a centrifuge or a device for sedimentation. A concentrated suspension with particles is obtained in a reservoir 106, with, for example, according to the particle size distribution (volume-based, x _90.3 ), the diameter of 90% of the volume of all particles is smaller than 80 μm and according to the particle size distribution (volume-based, x _10.3 ) the Diameter of 90% of the volume of all particles are larger than 1 µm.

The particles present in the suspension can then be metered into the casting compound in liquid or pasty form.

Alternatively, the spray-dried particles can be collected dry after sufficient cooling and added to the casting compound in powder form.

Claims (13)

1. Process for the production and/or processing of food products from a pourable composition, in particular a fat-continuous fluid,

   wherein the flow behavior of the pourable composition is adjusted and/or altered by adding

   a mixture of spherical and angular particles is added to the pourable composition and the proportion of spherical particles is adjusted, wherein

   - the proportion of spherical particles, of which at least 90% by volume have a diameter below 500 µm and in particular 90% by volume have a diameter greater than 1 pm, in the total solids content of the pourable composition is increased;
   and/or

   - spherical particles, at least 90% by volume of which have a diameter of less than 500 µm and, in particular, 90% by volume of which have a diameter of greater than 1 pm, are metered into the pourable composition in an apparatus (200) for the production and/or processing of food products, characterized in that

   a setpoint value is entered or set in a control and/or regulating unit, and the quantity ratio of spherical to angular particles is taken from a stored table depending on the setpoint value for the flowability, or spherical particles are added taking into account a predetermined recipe until a value determined by measurement for the flow behavior corresponds to the predetermined setpoint value.
2. Process according to claim 1, wherein the viscosity and/or the yield point are reduced.
3. Process according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the spherical particles contain a matrix material of, in particular amorphously solidified, biopolymer, in particular a matrix material of sugar.
4. Process according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a measured value which allows conclusions to be drawn about the flow behavior, in particular the viscosity, of the pourable composition is determined, in particular after increasing the proportion of spherical particles in the solids content and/or after metering in the particles.
5. Process according to claim 5, wherein a comparison of the determined measured value with a set value is carried out.
6. Process according to one of the preceding claims, wherein metering takes place at a mixing device (103) for mixing the particles into the pourable composition, at a conche or between a composition container (101) and a pouring nozzle of the casting machine (102).
7. Process according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the particles form a proportion of greater than 5 wt.% and less than 100 wt.% of the solids content of the pourable composition after metering.
8. Process according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the particles are produced in an apparatus for shaping and separating (200), wherein the particle stream is guided during cooling to final temperature, in particular room temperature, in such a way that essentially no agglomerates are formed.
9. Device for the production and/or processing of food products with a casting machine (102),
   wherein

   the device (100) has a feeding device (104) for metering in, in particular spherical, particles with a matrix material of, in particular amorphously solidified, biopolymer, the device (100) having a control and/or regulating unit (105) for setting the quantity of particles to be metered in, in particular for influencing the flow behavior,

   characterized in that

   (i) the control and/or regulating unit (105) is designed to enter or set a setpoint value and to take the quantity ratio of spherical to angular particles depending on the setpoint value for the flowability from a stored table
   or

   (ii) the device (200) has a measuring device (107) for determining a quantity which allows conclusions to be drawn about the flow behavior of the pourable composition, in particular about the viscosity, the control and/or regulating unit (105) is designed to enter or set a setpoint value and to determine the quantity of spherical particles to be added as a function of a deviation from the setpoint value or

   (iii) the device (200) has a measuring device (107) for determining a variable which allows conclusions to be drawn about the flow behavior of the pourable composition, in particular about the viscosity, and the control and/or regulating unit (105) is designed to enter or set a setpoint value and to control the metering of spherical particles, taking into account a predetermined recipe, until the value for the flow behavior determined by a measurement corresponds to the predetermined setpoint value.
10. Device according to claim 9, wherein the feeding device (104) is arranged upstream with respect to a pouring nozzle of the casting machine (102), in particular on a mass container (101) for the pourable composition, on a mixing device (103), on a conche or between a mass container (101) and a pouring nozzle of the casting machine (102).
11. Device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the device (100) has a storage container (106) for storing the, in particular spherical, particles, in which preferably the temperature and/or the ambient humidity can be defined so that the spherical particles do not agglomerate.
12. Device according to claim 9, 10 or 11, characterized in that the device (200) according to variant (i) has a measuring device (107) for determining a quantity which allows conclusions to be drawn about the flow behavior of the pourable composition, in particular about the viscosity, which is connected in particular downstream of the feeding device (104).
13. Device according to claim 9, 10 or 11, characterized in that the measuring device (107) of the device (100) according to variants (ii) and (iii) is connected downstream of the feeding device (104).

Images